“CARICOM Heads of Governments expressed deep concern about the high levels of crime and violence in the Region, driven in part by firearms and ammunition trafficking, transnational criminal networks, and a breakdown of social structures, and the impact of crime and violence on young people and children.”
– Dr Armstrong Alexis, CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General
CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana – Tuesday, 1 October 2024: CARICOM Heads of Government are prioritising the safety and security of the Region and working collaboratively to address the social determinants that contribute to many social ills, including crime and violence, that adversely impact public health, families, communities, and individuals. These are the sentiments of Dr. Armstrong Alexis, Deputy Secretary-General of CARICOM, during his address at the Forty-Seventh Meeting of the Council of Human and Social Development (COHSOD) – Health on Friday, 27 September, in Washington, D.C.
The Meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Hon. Cassanni Laville, Minister of Health, Wellness and Social Services of Dominica. CARICOM Ministers of Health, Chief Medical Officers, national health officials, and representatives from Regional Institutions and Bodies, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Regional Nursing Body (RNB), and the Human Resources for Health Caribbean Commission, were in attendance. Regional and international partners, the Global Fund and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organisation (WHO) also participated.
The Meeting focused on advancing the public health agenda in the Caribbean. Critical discussions surrounded regional health security, including an update on matters of interest to the Region for the upcoming PAHO Directing Council and Crime and Violence as a Public Health Concern, formally presented for discussion and consideration by Saint Kitts and Nevis. Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis is responsible for human resource development, health, and HIV and AIDS in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet.
The Deputy Secretary-General reminded the Meeting that CARICOM Heads of Governments expressed “deep concern about the high levels of crime and violence in the Region, driven in part by firearms and ammunition trafficking, transnational criminal networks, and a breakdown of social structures, and the impact of crime and violence on young people and children.”
He highlighted that in a statement issued following the 47th Heads of Government Conference in July 2024, the Heads of Government reaffirmed their commitment to taking urgent action to protect the citizens of the Region and to ensure safety, security, and public interest by sharing information and strengthening legislation related to firearms offences, violent crime, and bail.
Dr Alexis also lauded the offer by Barbados to host a second Regional Symposium on Crime and Security as a Public Health Issue before the end of 2024. “The presentation today by Saint Kitts and Nevis Chief Medical Officer Hazel Laws on behalf of Prime Minister Drew as the Lead Head with responsibility for issues pertaining to Human Resource Development, Health, and HIV and AIDS in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet further attests to the importance that Heads of Governments have placed on identifying strategic solutions to tackle crime and violence,” added the DSG.
This Meeting is integral to the continued leadership and strategic direction of the Region’s health sector development and the collaborative approach to managing on-going health threats within the Community.
-ENDS-
EDITOR’S NOTES:
Other critical issues discussed at the Meeting:
The discussion also centered on human resources for health including the Policy on Migration and Mobility of Health Workers in the Caribbean and a Draft Policy on the Number of Chances to Re-sit the Regional Examination for Nurse Registration. In addition, the CARICOM Secretariat presented an update on the establishment of a memorandum of understanding between CARICOM and the Health Development Partnership for Africa and the Caribbean (HeDPAC). On the issue of resources for advancing regional priorities, the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS led a discussion on the implications for reduced donor funding for the HIV and AIDS response in the Region.
Intense discussions surrounded disease surveillance highlighted by a presentation by CARPHA on epidemiological trends in infectious diseases and their implications for Policy as well as the expanding and institutionalizing of the novel Cricket World Cup Mass Gatherings Surveillance tool for improving emergency response in the Caribbean.
Participants also received an update on matters pertaining to the Port-of Spain Declaration including a review of non-communicable disease (NCD) progress since the 2007 Port-of-Spain Declaration towards the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs in 2025 and a report on the outcomes of the PAHO Regional Meeting on cervical cancer and implications for Member States.
Climate Change and Health was also a significant concern for Ministers of Health following a report on the evaluation of the Caribbean Action Plan on Health and Climate Change and the future vision for climate and health in the Caribbean by PAHO/WHO.
Participants of the Forty-Seventh Meeting of the Council of Human and Social Development (COHSOD) – Health. CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Armstrong Alexis (seated, centre) and Chair of COHSOD-Health and Minister of Health, Wellness and Social Services of Dominica – Hon. Cassanni Laville (seated, extreme left)
Related links
Statement by the Chair of the Caribbean Community, Honourable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada on increasing vigilance following the Mpox outbreak
https://caricom.org/statement-by-the-chair-of-the-caribbean-community-honourable-dickon-mitchell-prime-minister-of-grenada-on-increasing-vigilance-following-the-mpox-outbreak/
CARPHA Urges Member States to be Vigilant Following WHO Declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern for Mpox
https://carpha.org/More/Media/Articles/ArticleID/902/CARPHA-Urges-Member-States-to-be-Vigilant-Following-WHO-Declaration-of-a-Public-Health-Emergency-of-International-Concern-for-Mpox
CARICOM Development Fund Provides initial US$100,000 cash contribution to Hurricane Beryl Recovery Efforts in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
https://caricom.org/caricom-development-fund-provides-initial-us100000-cash-contribution-to-hurricane-beryl-recovery-efforts-in-st-vincent-and-the-grenadines/
Hurricane Beryl dealt ‘serious blow’ to Grenada’s 25 by 2025 progress – PM Mitchell
https://caricom.org/hurricane-beryl-dealt-serious-blow-to-grenadas-25-by-2025-progress-pm-mitchell/
